title: Growth behavior of cochlear nucleus neuronal cells on semiconductor substrates.
abstract: Auditory brainstem implants provide sound information by direct stimulation of the cochlear nucleus to patients with dysfunctional or absent cranial nerve VIII. In contrast to patients with cochlear implants, the use of the auditory brainstem implants is less successful. This cannot be fully explained by the difference location of stimulation but a rather unspecific neuronal stimulation. The aim of this study was to further examine neuronal cells of the cochlear nucleus and to test their interactions with semiconductor substrates as a potential electrode material for improved auditory brainstem implants. The cochlear nuclei of postnatal day 7 rats were microsurgically dissected. The tissue was dissociated enzymatically and plated on coverslips as control and on the semiconductor substrates silicon or silicon nitride. After 4 days in culture the morphology and growth of dissociated cells was determined by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. Dissociated cells of the cochlear nucleus showed reduced cell growth on semiconductor substrates compared with controls. SEM analysis demonstrated close contact of neurons with supporting cells in culture and good adherence of neuronal growth cones on the used materials. These findings present basic knowledge for the development of neuron-electrode interfaces for future auditory brainstem implants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wuerzburg, Comprehensive Hearing Center, Wuerzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rak
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wasielewski
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Radeloff
authors.forename: Agmal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scherzed
authors.forename: Sibylle
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jablonka
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hagen
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mlynski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D038262:Auditory Brain Stem Implants; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D017626:Cochlear Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D003470:Culture Media; D004566:Electrodes; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012666:Semiconductors; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003470:Culture Media; D012825:Silicon